A Study on the Diverticular Enlargement of the Rat's Submandibular Duct (II)

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of the submandibular duct reservoir was reported by Butcher (1972). Its form and functional volume (Schneyer, 1975) and the development of the submandibular complex (Kim, 1975) were studied. The shape of the cells in the epithelial lining of the reservoir had not been determined as yet. So via the techniques of histology and histochemical enzymatic activity, the epithelial lining and the function of the reservoir were investigated. The epithelial lining of the reservoir was not uniform in all regions. The proximal portion of the reservoir was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium and the distal portion was lined by stratified columnar or cuboidal epithelium. Acid phosphatase activity in the epithelial lining of the reservoir was observed as well as in the acini, granular convoluted duct and striated duct of the submandibular gland proper.